The Dubai Mall to host first Waitrose store in the Middle East

UAE. The Dubai Mall, one of the world’s largest shopping and
entertainment destinations, to open on October 30, 2008, will host the
first Middle East store of Waitrose, ‘Britain’s best high street
retailer.’ The Dubai Mall location is also the first Waitrose outside
the United Kingdom.

The 55,300 square foot store will be the largest supermarket in
Downtown Burj Dubai, and will showcase Waitrose’s extensive range of
quality food products. Located on the Lower Ground level, the same
level as car parking, the store is accessible and convenient for all
mall visitors.

Waitrose has entered into a licensing agreement with Fine Fare Food
Market to open the store in The Dubai Mall (pictured). A second
Waitrose store will open at the Dubai Marina Mall, which is currently
being constructed for opening towards the end of this year.

Yousif Al Ali, General Manager, The Dubai Mall, said: “The Dubai
Mall is bringing in several new retail experiences to the Middle East
region. Waitrose joins a league of international retailers like
Galeries Lafayette, Bloomingdale’s and Hamleys, who make their Middle
East debut at the mall.”

He added: “Waitrose has tremendous brand equity, and will appeal to
a wide spectrum of shoppers. The opening of Waitrose is a reflection of
The Dubai Mall’s objective of bringing in as many unique shopping
experiences as possible to the city.”

Waitrose at The Dubai Mall has been designed by London-based design
consultancy Kinnersley Kent Design to reflect the ambience of a
Waitrose supermarket in Britain and to cater for the specific needs of
the target market in the UAE. The store will offer an assortment of
Waitrose branded products as well as locally sourced products to meet
the needs of the Dubai customer demographic.

The product range includes fresh and frozen foods, delicatessen,
cheese, fresh fish, meat, patisserie and hot food counters. Considering
local tastes and traditions, Waitrose at The Dubai Mall will only
sell-certified Halal food in the main store arena. A fully-functional
scratch bakery; interactive butchery and fishmongers and a market-style
fresh fruit and vegetable area will underscore the Waitrose commitment
to freshness. The store will also carry a selected range of John Lewis
non-food products.

Located in Downtown Burj Dubai, billed as the new heart of the city,
The Dubai Mall is a 12 million square foot complex featuring 1,200
retail stores and over 160 F&B outlets. The world-class Dubai
Aquarium & Discovery Centre and the world’s largest indoor Gold
Souk are among the opening day attractions.